Gussying up a Christmas tree seems like a pretty straightforward affair: stand it up straight, throw some lights around it, and hang the ornaments. Add in these clever tips for seating, stringing, and decorating your tree, however, for a professional tree dressing.

Martha Stewart shares some clever tricks for rocking the best looking Christmas tree on the block. The guide covers everything from pruning a fresh tree for maximum glamor to hanging ornaments that stay put no matter what. The following trick makes your tree look fuller and conceals the wires of your lights:

Lights should be added to your tree before other decorations. Our technique will play up the depth of the tree better than draping lights only around the perimeter, while also concealing the wires.

1. Starting at a bottom bough, string lights along the underside of each branch. When you get near the end, loop lights around the top of the branch.

2. Work back to the tree trunk, winding around branch and light strand. Continue around the tree. Reverse the procedure on upper branches (or those above eye level of an average adult), stringing lights first along the top, then back around bottom.

Check out the full article for more tips and tricks including how to photograph your masterpiece when you're done.